There is a high global demand for Kenya’s purple tea-Ambassador Godec

US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec (centre) at Savani in Nandi hills constituency where he had visited cottage industries and purple tea farms

The United States of America Ambassador to Kenya Robert F. Godec has revealed that purple tea in the global market is in high demand due to its medicinal value and that America is targeting Kenya for the exportation of the crop.

Speaking after he visited purple tea cottage industries and farms in Savanna area Nandi Hills constituency in Nandi, Ambassador Godec cited that majority of the tea consumers in USA prefer purple tea after realizing that the crop cures chronic diseases.

He encouraged farmers to increase the acreage because the crop is in high demand in America and developed countries such as Britain and China. Godec regretted the fact that the volumes of tea which Kenya exports to developed countries is not able to meet the consumer demands and noted that poverty index in tea growing Counties could reduce by large percentage if the majority of farmers engage in purple tea and horticulture farming.

He announced that Tumoi factory, which processes the crop in the area, will be exporting the purple tea in partnership with international importers and American Tea company, who will purchase and sell it to the American market. He said that this was a good initiative and an example of how the Kenyan government can build more wealth and create more opportunities in the international market. “This an opportunity to grow something new, process it and sell to the United States and other potential markets in the future” he added.

The US government is a key partner in Kenya’s agricultural sector. The US Ambassador further expressed the US government’s commitment in collaboration with the national government and County governments to boost the sector for a better future. He revealed the existence of a Kshs 20 billion project dubbed ‘Feed the Future’, which he said had benefited many farmers in the Counties and a route to scholarships for several students.